HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-24 adjMarch 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 1)
An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County,
Virginia, was held on March 24, 1994, at 1:00 p.m., Room 7~ County Office
Building, McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. This meeting was ad-
journed from March 23, 1994.
PRESENT: Mr. David P. Bowerman, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Messrs.
Forrest R. Marshall, Jr., Charles S. Martin (arrived at 1:05 p.m.), Walter F.
Perkins and Mrs. Sally H. Thomas.
ABSENT: None.
OFFICER PRESENT: County Executive, Robert W. Tucker, Jr.
Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m., by the
Chairman, Mr. Perkins.
Agenda Item No. 2. Work Session: School Budget. Mr. Perkins intro-
duced Mr. Mike Marshall, Chairman of the School Board, who apologized for the
delay in getting the School's budget to the Board of Supervisors. He also
apologized for the mistakes in the first draft of the budget forwarded to the
Supervisors. He thanked Mr. Tucker and his staff for their cooperation with
the School Division in sorting this thing out. He also praised the School
Division for the heroic effort they made in getting it straight in the last
two weeks.
Mr. Mike Marshall said the School Board worked on its budget last night
and also on Monday night. He said they took $50,000 shown as a School Board
Reserve and put it back in the Fund Balance. They deleted three school bus
replacements. They reduced the category for Division 3 Health Textbooks by
$11,000. Before Monday, they showed a deficit of $2.2 million. That was
after a thorough examination of the budget items, removing duplicates. Some
compensation accounts were put back into the budget. That made a final
difference of $55,000 in the total. After correcting all mistakes they could
find, the new total is not much different from the original total.
Mr. Mike Marshall said in an attempt to lower its deficit, the School
Board looked at some strategies which Mr. Tucker and Dr. Paskel has talked
through. That is basically the way they got from $2.2 million down to
$960,000, and then they deleted some things from the budget. The School Board
differed over whether it should be attempting to save all the way to zero, or
at what point it is not conscionable to make a cut. It was hard to get a
consensus on the several cuts which were proposed.
Mr. Mike Marshall said the issues have not changed much since the letter
of transmittal he forwarded with the first copy of the budget. The real
complication for the School Board now is opening the new middle school. The
second item is the curriculum forum. The School Board had originally wanted
to spend $650,000 to implement curriculum changes. It seems like a lot of
money, but in language arts they found that grammar books had not been
purchased in the division for 14 years. They also were not used during that
period. When you try to recover from a problem like that, you have to buy a
lot of books. In each of the subject areas, it approached $100,000 to get
some primary texts to do what the division is intended to do. This has been a
controversial initiative. The curriculum was developed by teacher committees
from across all grades. They have finished through the eighth grade. In the
budget is another $30,000 to continue these committees through the summer to
finish the high school curriculum. However, only the earlier grades will be
implemented in this budget. There were suggestions that the amount of funding
for the curriculum forum be reduced. The cost went from $650,000 down to
$560,000 and on Monday it was reduced to $408,000. One-half of that is in
Stipends-Development, and slightly more then one-half is in materials purchas-
es. Mr. Marshall said it was suggested that only part of the subject areas be
implemented immediately, but a majority of the Board is still not persuaded
that is a sensible thing to do.
Mr. Bowerman asked what part of the curriculum changes were deleted to
get the cost down to the number given. Mr. Mike Marshall said it is not known
what inventory each school has. It was, therefore, presumed that some of
these things already exist in the schools. Earlier, it was suggested that a
certain amount of money be put in the budget, but that it not be used if
duplications were found. What they have assumed is that some of those texts
are already in the schools, so new ones will not have to be bought.
Mr. Bowerman asked about the $50,000 for language arts books. Mr. Mike
Marshall said he is not comfortable to cut monies in this area, but something
has to be cut. The curriculum is still in a draft stage. In January there
was a report on it from each of the leaders of the committees. In May they
will come back with what is ostensibly a complete package at each of the grade
levels. They have asked the Superintendent to give it an idea of how to
implement the game plan for getting into the schools, and also a game strategy.
Mr. Mike Marshall said there is still some doubt among School Board
members about the use of stipends. There is a strategy in the division where
they will try to "beef up" the school libraries so there is a central resource
in the building, not necessarily in each classroom. To go along with that,
there will be a supply of materials kept by the division in the County Office
Building which can be sent to the schools on request. They are trying to get
000 23
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
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one set of materials from the original materials list in the schools so these
materials can be traded around classrooms in a rotation. For instance, micro-
scopes. They want about 15 microscopes in each elementary school. It was
never intended to buy a complete set for everybody.
Mr. Bowerman asked if all 600-pupil elementary schools have an assistant
principal. Dr. Paskel said there is only one school of that size. Mr. Bower-
man said a number of the elementary schools have the potential of having 600
students. Which elementary school has an assistant principal? Mr. Bowerman
said he wanted to discuss the issue of policy and how that determination is
made. Dr. Carole Hastings said the School Board has been trying to move
toward a different level of staffing for administrators, but, it has not been
funded. Guidelines established in 1984 set 480 students as the limit, after
which point there was to be a full-time assistant principal. Next year, two
of the schools which already have assistants, Stone Robinson and Greer, would
fall below that point. The School Board was reluctant to delete those
positions because they felt they were needed. By lowering the floor at which
they allocated the position, Cale became eligible for an assistant principal
as well because its enrollment will actually be higher than the other two
schools. The other school that has a full-time assistant is Agnor-Hurt, and
then there is Hollymead which is the only school where 600 pupils are in-
volved.
Mr. Mike Marshall said that, as a policy, if there are 480 students, the
school qualifies for an assistant principal. The addition of this new
position would effectively lower that to about 450 as a threshold. The Board
did not vote on where to establish that line. One way to balance the budget
might be to remove the assistant principals in the other schools rather than
adding one at a new school. The School Board did not want to go in that
direction. Mr. Bowerman said he agrees, and feels the School Board should
determine what staffing is appropriate. He just did not understand the policy
by which the School Board was operating.
Mrs. Thomas asked if the School Board is continuing on the ten-year
replacement cycle for school buses. Mr. Mike Marshall said no, they have been
off of that schedule for at least three years. They are buying nine new buses
this year. Those buses are in the growth budget. One bus will be used for
the Sutherland Middle School, and two buses are being bought as a consequence
of redistricting. These three buses would have been bought according to the
replacement policy. Every year new buses are bought for growth, and the old
buses move into the substitute fleet. Mr. Marshall said that according to the
Transportation Director, on a ten-year replacement cycle they are about 25
buses away from where they should be, and on a twelve-year system, they are 12
to 15 buses off of the replacement schedule.
Mr. Mike Marshall said that a couple of years ago, there was the "no
more borrowing" notion. He directed the Board's attention to the Debt page in
the School Board's budget. In two years, the School Board has finished paying
off buses that were contracted for in the 1980s. Because of the early
retirement incentive plan, the School Board incurred a debt to the Virginia
Retirement System which they are paying off beginning with the next budget
year° That is another factor creating the increase in the budget. Originally
they were to pay it off at the rate of $386,000 for ten years. Two years from
now, paying off those buses is over. The strategy of the Board is that in two
years, they will take the cash now being paid in interest and apply that to
purchase of buses. In that way, they could buy nine or ten buses for a couple
of years, and make up for some lost time without having to generate new money.
Mr. Perkins said he has not had much time to study the new budget. He
noticed that on the individual school accounts there are all zeros. He asked
where that money shows in the School budget. Mr. Mike Marshall said all the
money is in one account. There is a formula for dividing it out depending on
where the school population ends up. Once there is an enrollment figure
obtained for the new year, then this account is divided up.
Mr. Perkins said in 1993 there was quite a difference between the
budgeted amount and the actual expenditures. He asked if that is because of
the difference in the number of students who actually showed up. Dr. Hastings
said the Board of Supervisors allowed the Schools to use a hold-over balance
from the prior year up to a maximum of ten percent. Many of the schools had
carried funds forward and that is the reason the actual amount was much larger
than the budgeted amount. Mr. Mike Marshall said the School Board had
encouraged the schools to save funds so the individual schools could buy some
items they wanted to buy.
Mr. Mike Marshall referred to a newspaper story today on the performance
of the schools, the outcome accountability project, Albemarle County is at
the top of the list. The School system is a very high quality school system.
Basically, Albemarle County has no problem.
Mr. Forrest Marshall said the thing that drives the budget seems to be
the pupil/teacher ratio. He wonders if it is realistic to have the ratio that
Albemarle County presently has. He asked if there is some way to give
teachers in classrooms more authority over disciplining children so they could
accept higher pupil/teacher ratios. Mr. Mike Marshall said that is a large
factor in the School Board's interest in preserving the current ratio. In the
last two years, the School Board purposely examined the budget to be able to
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
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produce extra positions strictly aimed at lowering the ratios. Part of that
gets back to America having a very individualistic society where the.impor-
tance of the individual is stressed. That may be a reason some societies are
"out testing" us now. The Asians and Koreans are far ahead of us in math and
science skills. It was assumed that they must have very small class sizes,
but it was found that the Koreans had 60 children in a math class. That is
incomprehensible to Americans. The importance of the individual in those
societies is not looked at in the same way, and there is more pressure to
conform° They can enforce discipline over kids. In our society the kids
expect to have more personal attention. This affects both the discipline
issue and how they learn. One of the aims of the curriculum revision is to
get the minimum expectation in the classroom and be specific about it.
Mr. Forrest Marshall asked why the Schools consistently put up with
children who disrupt classes. Mr. Mike Marshall said the Albemarle County
School Board has not put up with that. Mr. Forrest Marshall said he talks to
a lot of teachers and he believes most of them would agree that if they had
more control over their classes or more support from the front office, they
could achieve more in their classrooms. He believes it falls back on the
parents, but the Schools can't force them to take care of their children. He
does believe they can be taken out of the classroom and send them back home to
their parents. Mr. Martin said for better or worse things are different now.
If a child gets sent home from school now, the parents are most likely to go
back to the school and complain. Mr. Forrest Marshall said we are not
"gaining any ground" by keeping these kids in school and ruining the education
of the other kids.
Mr. Mike Marshall said in reference to the class size ratio, there are
basically no rooms where new teachers can be added. The School Board is
trying not to lose any of the ground that has been made up on the ratio. It
is just trying to stay steady. He said Mr. Martin is right. A lot of
complaints the School Board hears derive from an attitude in which the role of
the Board is a provider of day care and not a provider of education. Society
has put a lot of pressure on schools to perform functions which formerly
churches or family units were expected to provide, but because some of these
things have broken down, society looks to other institutions to "pick up the
slack". Now it is coming to the schools. It is common for the School Board
to have parents come in and defend the child during expulsion sessions, when
the kid has no defense.
Mr. Forrest Marshall said he would like for the teachers to be able to
teach and not be baby sitters and run day care centers. He thinks there has
to be some discipline in the schools, so the teachers can teach. He does not
think the schools should try to solve all of the social problems. Mr. Mike
Marshall said the schools can't do it so it is unreasonable to expect that.
It also distracts from the actual academic purpose. Mr. Forrest Marshall said
the Schools "keep throwing money at it" and that does not solve the problem.
Mr. Mike Marshall said if the T.V. were turned off in every household that
would help. There is not much a governmental agency can do to get at the
problem.
Mr. Forrest Marshall said the Schools can refuse to babysit children who
are disrupting classes. Mr. Bowerman said the state requires that they be in
class, so it is not just a question of sending them home.
Mrs. Humphris asked if the School Board ever hears from the PTO's, as
organized entities, about the problem of disruptive behavior in the classroom.
Mr. Mike Marshall said there is a lot of media about disruptive behavior and
violence in the schools. In Albemarle County, the experience has not been
that bad. Mrs. Humphris said she is talking about kids who make it difficult
for teachers to teach. She said that sometimes things can be really simple.
She wishes the School Board would work with the PTO's about television, which
she regards as the most disruptive influence in the family, and, therefore,
for the schools and education. She thinks the Schools could teach parents
that it is okay to turn off the television. Mr. Martin said the people who
attend PTO meetings probably do not need to be taught. Mrs. Humphris said she
was talking about the PTO's being used as a vehicle to get the message out to
the community.
Mrs. Thomas said she raised her kids without a T.V. and asked that the
conversation return to that of the budget. When she saw how much money was
being put into education, she asked how other counties and cities compare to
Albemarle's pupil/teacher ratio. Is Albemarle County paying more for this iow
student/teacher ratio than other school systems are? At public hearings, it
is often said that money should be put into teachers. Albemarle's pupil/
teacher ratio is the same as that of Roanoke County. They are spending about
$830 per capita and Albemarle is spending $770 per capita. Albemarle is
getting a much lower pupil/teacher ratio for the dollar spent. Looking at
other counties that are spending the same amount per capita as Albemarle
County does, Hanover spends the same, but their ratio is higher. That says
that Albemarle County is doing a good job of focusing on the pupil/teacher
ratio and not overpaying for the type of ratio it is getting. It looks like
the school system is doing a good job of getting as Iow a pupil/teacher ratio
as it can get using the dollars given to the School system.
Mr. Forrest Marshall said he looks at it from the businessman's point of
view. In Roanoke, the cost of living is much less. A house can be bought for
30 percent less in Roanoke. Not only that, but Albemarle County has from six
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 4)
000 .25
to ten applicants for every position advertised. Just the law of supply and
demand says that Albemarle does not need to pay the salaries that it does. He
believes that out of ten people, a qualified person can be found for less
money than is being paid. Mrs. Thomas said Mr. Marshall had just pointed out
that houses are a lot more expensive in this locality. Mr. Mike Marshall said
education is all personnel when you get "down to it." How successful you are
depends on the kind of teacher you have. Albemarle County has good luck
attracting very well-qualified people who have lots of different experiences
in their lives which they bring to the classroom.
Mr. Forrest Marshall said Albemarle is fortunate in that a lot of
talented people apply for a job with the County. Mr. Mike Marshall said it is
difficult to compare around the state. Whatever question you look at, you can
find reasons that the comparison isn't valid. He agrees with Mrs. Thomas that
"with what we have, we are doing a pretty good job" on the pupil/teacher
ratio. "All things considered" the Schools are sound on that. On any kind of
survey in the schools, the number one item will be the parents wanting low
teacher to student ratios, especially on the basic areas. If you ask parents
if they would rather have more grade-level teachers or arts or music teachers,
they will sacrifice arts and music to have more basic grade-level teachers.
That tells how high a priority the ratio is to them.
Mr. Bowerman said the vote of the School Board was 4/3 to pass this
budget. He asked Mr. Marshall to characterize the difference of opinion on
the budget by the three people who did not support it. Mr. Mike Marshall said
last night's vote was an oddity. It did not represent the coalition for and
against an unbalanced budget which had been in place previously. Mr. Marshall
said he personally voted to give the Board of Supervisors a budget to look at,
but he does not recant his former position.
Mr. Mike Marshall said as to the balanced/unbalanced budget, there was
an assumption of poverty used because the School Division did not increase
funds to cost centers in a three-year period (the cost centers were increased
2.5 percent, but that 2.5 percent was put in a hold-back as a way to establish
a reserve that was not a separate amount). If you take inflation over those
three years, it is nine percent and yet only 2.5 was added in, so, de facto,
there is a 7.5 percent decrease in purchasing power. Because the majority of
the School Board thought that was true, they thought it was not conscionable
to continue without requesting a large influx of funds. Even the people who
felt a budget should be balanced agreed that it takes more money to open a new
school. On every vote there was unanimous support for the curriculum develop-
ment which takes two years to implement. They did not want to postpone it any
further.
Mr. Mike Marshall said the position of those for a balanced budget is
that the public is entitled to expect the School Board to exert its fiduciary
responsibility over public funds. That means that the Board should attempt to
balance the budget. Even those who voted to present an unbalanced budget,
felt a little uncomfortable when the errors began to appear (he felt some of
the errors were rather technical in nature and in the overall picture of the
budget "washed out"). Credibility was lost in not attempting to balance the
budget in the beginning. In recent years, the School Board has balanced the
proposed budget and left out things which they felt were important, and then
the Board of Supervisors tried to find the money to cover those items. On the
unbalanced side, those people felt this year was extraordinary, and that they
needed to make it plain that extra money had to be devoted to education. To
them, it was a way of making a statement.
Mr. Bowerman asked if the disagreement dealt more with philosophy than
the substance of the budget. Mr. Mike Marshall said he is for a balanced
budget. He asked himself what would happen if every governmental unit did not
balance its budget. The answer is that there would be a breakdown of govern-
ment and chaos in society, so obviously it is not good for the School Board of
Albemarle County to do that. However, if the School Board had tried to
balance the budget, it would have left the salary question out because $1.025
million is needed for that 2.5 percent salary raise. If they had covered
every expense except for a teacher raise, the kids would have been taken care
of, and the new school would have been taken care of. It is heard quite often
that Albemarle County's salaries for teachers are not competitive, but it is a
complicated question depending on what kind of comparison is being made. Some
other counties don't have career ladder systems which is a way many salaries
are supplemented in this county.
Mr. Forrest Marshall said he heard Staunton City Council discussing
salaries the other night and teachers were using Albemarle County as an
example. He is not arguing about what teachers are being paid. He is
concerned about the job they are being given to do, and the pressure that is
being put on them to do that job. He does not know what the locality can do
about it since the state says these kids have to be kept in school. He asked
where the County would be if the Board decided to fund the $1,298,668 with the
carry-over balance. He asked how much that would leave the County to spend on
the general government side of the budget. He does not want to have to vote
for a tax increase. The people in his district are adamant that they do not
want an increase in the tax rate. He will support the people in his district
and try to find the money that is needed on both sides. A lot of people are
coming to him and saying the County is spending too much in various places,
and although this is typical of the job, the questions he asked earlier were
questions that were asked of him. He does not think all of the schools are
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 5)
OOO126
equal. He thinks that in some of the schools, because the parents help their
children, the teachers are better able to carry a heavier work load as opposed
to one where there is a very poor socio-economic background and the students
need more help because they do not get it at home. Mr. Mike Marshall said
that the School Board does consider Yancey and Scottsville schools as a
special category and they have a stop-loss provision that gives them exemp-
tions from certain rules so they can save the teaching positions in those
schools. Last year there was a dramatic increase in test scores in Scotts-
ville Elementary.
Mr. Mike Marshall pointed out that a large part of what the School Board
is asking the Supervisors to help make up are non-recurring costs. The
$408,000 to implement the curriculum revision will be a one-time cost. There
are a lot of non-recurring costs associated with the opening of Sutherland
Middle School. These two items total about $900,000.
Mrs. Thomas asked if the School Board is funding the Murray High School
gifted program. Mr. Mike Marshall said there is a request for some additional
positions. There are gifted programs in the middle and high schools, but they
are not trying to increase the number of positions specifically devoted to
those programs. There are state requirements which must be met.
Mrs. Thomas referred to the list of unfunded priorities and asked if the
medical insurance at 85 percent will be picked Upo Mro Mike Marshall said
"no", the School Board is trying for 80 percent. Mrs. Thomas asked if general
government employees will get 85 percent. Mr. Tucker said "yes"; that is
something that will need to be discussed before going to public hearing. Mr.
Mike Marshall said the additional cost to the School Division is $117,000. He
said the School Board would have elected to do it, but felt they had already
given the Board of Supervisors enough unfunded items. He finished by saying
the School Board would appreciate whatever the Supervisors can do to make up
the funds.
Mr. Tucker said the staff handed out a memorandum yesterday with a sheet
showing figures for a revised FY 94-95 working budget attached. That would be
a way for the Board to start looking at the items it had put on the list to be
reconsidered. Those items amount of almost $1.15 million, taking out the
$600,000 from the original reserve that staff had allocated to the schools.
The chart handed out was as follows:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FY 94-95 UOPJ(ING BUDGET
BEGINNING RESERVE FUND $1,670,000
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADJUSTMENTS
Less dept budget/patrol car cost adjustments (28,945)
Additional revenues-JAUNT 599 Funds, Septic Fees 111,940
TOTAL COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADJUSTIIE#TS 82~995
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:::::~:::::::::¥:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::¥:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:¥:::¥::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~::::::::::::::::::::¥:¥:¥:::::¥:::¥::2::::::::::::
SCHOOL BOARD ADJUSTMENTS
Less School carry-over used to balance
FY 94-95 budget
TOTAL AD JUSTHEIITS (517,005 )
TOTAL RESERVE FUND $1,152,995
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - PRGPOSI~ INITIATIVES
TOTAL MOT PROPOSED
COST FUIJDED FUNDIIIG
I Constitutional Offices 38,110
* Satary supplement @ 5%
1 Fire/Rescue 6,280
Fire Safety Educator (50% funded)
1 Fire/Rescue 3,900
Training Materials/Equipment
1 Health Department 31,160
Fuji funding (offset by local septic permit fee)
1 Housing 21,000
PC's (6) - fund software in current year
1 Housing 38,000
Family Se[f-Sufficiency Program (FSS)
1 Information Services 39,915
Technical Support Analyst
1 JAUNT 7,435
Two additional dispatchers/adm assistant
I Po[ice 264,400
5 Patrol officers a $52,880 each
(funds 2 officers)
38,110
3,140
3~900
31,160
12,000
38,000
39,915
7,435
105,760
March 24, 1994
(Page 6)
(Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
000 27
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - PROPOSED INITIATIVES
(Continued)
TOTAL I
IX~T
NOT
F1JNDED
PROPOSED
FUNDING
1 Police
Record CLerk 18,030
1 Recycling 15,~5
Recycling coordinator - part-time
1 Library 16,233
Additional operating funds (50% restored)
1 Social Services 14,150
General Relief Program (50% of funding restored)
1 Social Services 2,100
Increased caseload for adult homes
1 Discovery Museum 12,415
Transitional funds (funds $15,000 for
transitional year)
18,030
15,665
8,115
7,075
2,100
7,415
Subtotal first priorities 528,795 337,820 815,17~
2 Constitutional Officers
** Salary supplements - Constitutional Officers @ 5% 13,815 13,815 0
2 Community Attention 5,000 5,000 0
Teens Give Program
2 Discovery Museum 5,000 0
Remainder of funding
2 Library 8,115 0
Remainder of base funding
2 Sheriff 226,811 45,362 0
Fugitive Squad (funds 1 deputy)
2 Social Services 6,000 6,000 0
Microcomputers (3)
2 Zoning 4,200 2,500 0
Code compliance equipment/training
(without audiovisual)
Subtotal second priorities Z&Ze011 71f977
3 Police 5,000 5,000
Explorer Post program (request
Foundation funding)
3 Staff Services 12,000 12,000
Computerized fuel/vehicle maintenance system
0 815~175
0
0
17,000 17,000
337,8Z0
815,715
Subtotal third priorities 0
TOTAL BOAJ~D OF StJPERVISOR$ CilAIJr~$ -
GENEUL GOgERNI~ENT
R~Jni~ Reserve FA 815,1~
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHANGES - SCHOOL DIVISION
Funds for FY 94-95 Shortfall to include 85% of
employer health share
TOTAL BO~ OF SUPERVIS(~S CHANGES - SCHOOL DIVISION
700,000
$700,000
TOTAL RENAINING RESERVE FUND
Transfer to Debt Service Fund
Transfer from General Fund Balance
*Includes constitutional office staff for
Commonwealth's Attorney, CLerk, Sheriff
**Includes Constitutional Officers - Commonwealth's
Attorney, CLerk, Sheriff, Registrar
115,175
309,825
S115,175
Mr. Martin said he was not present last Wednesday, and there are a
couple of things he would like to discuss. The "Teens Give Program" for
$5,000, and also he would like to add $1000 for the Chamber of Commerce for
the business retention program.
Mr. Tucker said the Chamber is not on the Board's list. The Chamber had
asked for $5600 total, and he suggested that the Tourism Council be considered
for $490. There was a line item list of programs, and this was one of those
programs.
Mrs. Humphris asked if each Supervisor is going to state which items on
the list they are in favor of funding. Mr. Perkins said he believes it would
be best to go through the list, and vote on each one.
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 7)
Mr. Tucker said Mr. Martin was not here last week when the list was
constituted. He thinks Mr. Martin is making his suggestions to add to the
list and then the Board can deal with voting on each one of the items. Mrs.
Humphris asked for the amount suggested for the Chamber. Mr. Martin said he
is suggesting $1000 for the Chamber.
In reference to the Chamber, Mrs. Thomas wondered if there is any way
the County can help them by including things in mailings the County already
does. Could the County include a brochure about SCORE and SVDC that might be
of help to those businesses? Mr. Tucker said he thinks it is the timing of
when the Chamber may want to send these out versus when the County sends out
notices on businesses taxes.
Mrs. Thomas said the Service Corps of Retired Executives is something
that is around all the time, and if they put together something, there might
be a way the County could be of assistance without actually putting up the
money for the mailing of their materials°
Mr. Perkins said Mr. James Camblos, Commonwealth's Attorney, is present
now. He asked him to come forward and address the Board. Mr. Camblos said he
is requesting additional funding for a small salary increase for the personnel
in his office to correct what he feels is an inequity in salaries° The State
has long since won the battle as to who is going to raise salaries to an
appropriate level. Each and every large jurisdiction in the state, and just
about every full-time position, in the state is supplemented by the locality.
He has some people working for him who are excellent. He thinks an increase
is needed. He has been lucky the two times he has had to go out for a job
search. Each time he has had one person who is "head and shoulders" above the
other applicants.
Mr. Bowerman noted that on the Board's Priority #1 list there is $38,110
for salary supplements which includes $8,000+ for the Commonwealth Attorney's
Office. Now, Mr. Camblos is asking that the constitutional officer also be
included in the five percent determination, but not be included in the
distribution. Mr. Camblos said that is correct. He is asking the Board to
fund a lump sum for his office, and if it is done based on a percentage, that
his salary be included as part of the basis for computing the number, but he
does not plan on giving himself or his chief deputy any salary increase. Mr.
Camblos said he has absolutely no control over adjusting the salaries in his
office; they are set by the state. He can either take them or lose them. If
he does not fill the Attorney 4 slot, it reverts back to an Attorney 1 slot~
and he starts all over again.
Mr. Tucker asked if the Board understands how the supplements are
divided. Mr. Bowerman asked if Mrs. Shelby Marshall has indicated whether she
would accept the supplement. Mr. Tucker said she has, but would not take a
supplement for herself, but for her deputy clerks as an across-the-board
increase. Mr. Tucker noted that in addition to the Constitutional Officers
under Priority 2, that amount does include the Registrar, Mr. Heilman.
Mrs. Thomas feels it is unique for Albemarle County to offer relief to
the State. Mr. Bowerman said it is important to recognize that Albemarle is
not the first community to do this. The precedent is well-established in the
state, and yet the state is still recalcitrant in recognizing its responsibil-
ity to these constitutional officers. He would like to do it because he
thinks the quality of the people in those offices is very important to the
community, and he does not think the state recognizes that. They serve
Albemarle County and not the State and he is willing to put some County funds
into supplementing those salaries. The only problem he sees is including the
three constitutional officers in determining the amount of the supplement and
then exclude them from the distribution. It will be up to the constitutional
officer to use those funds for salaries as he sees fit because this Board does
not have the authority to do that.
Mr. Martin said as long as the County's Personnel Department can handle
it, he does not see any reason why the Board can't have some control unless it
is a personnel policy issue. Mr. Martin said the one thing he did not
understand from the paperwork handed out is the transfer of $309,825 from the
General Fund. He asked what that amount is for. Mr. Tucker said that is for
the additional debt service in the amount of $425,000 which staff identified
and told the Board about earlier. Staff suggests that the $115,175 left as a
reserve fund be applied to the Debt Service Fund. The difference will have to
be taken from the General Fund to make up the $425,000.
Mr. Martin said that leaves the Board with no reserve fund whatsoever.
Mr. Tucker said that is true. He suggested the Board go through the entire
list, and if there are funds left, establish that amount, no matter what the
sum, as a contingency fund.
Mr. Perkins asked if there were any changes to be made to the list.
Mrs. Humphris said she would state her suggestions for changes to the list.
First is the issue under Priority #1 of $38,110 for constitutional offices~
and Priority #2 of $13,815 for constitutional officers. She has thought about
these two items and decided that even though all of these are deserving people
and she understands the issue clearly, she does not think the County will make
any progress if it opens "Pandora's box" by providing local funding subsidies
for these positions. Given the political orientation of some of these office
000'!29
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 8)
holders, and the fact that there is a governor of the same party, it is really
important that these people go to their political allies and make this right.
Just because other counties might supplement these salaries, does not mean
that those counties have done the right thing. She would like to delete the
$38,110.
Next, Mrs. Humphris suggested adding in $8115 for the Library (Priority
#2) as the remainder of its base funding request. She suggested adding $5000
for the Discovery Museum (Priority #2); add in the three microcomputers for
social services at $6000 (Priority #2); and, add in Zoning Code Compliance
Equipment at $2500 (Priority #2). Mrs. Humphris said that on the Chamber of
Commerce item that Mr. Martin mentioned, she feels this is government and they
are private enterprise. The County's job has to do with the protection of the
public health, safety and welfare, and education. She believes the County's
job is to provide all of the infrastructure that makes it the best possible
playing field for private enterprise to work. Once the County crosses the
line into helping some businesses and not helping others, she believes it has
make a mistake. Mrs. Humphris said she cannot support giving any money to the
Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Bowerman said he would go along with adding the items that Mrs.
Humphris and Mr. Martin indicated they would like to add. He is not in favor
of taking away the $38,110 and is in favor of adding the $13,815.
Mr. Martin agreed with Mr. Bowerman on the $38,110 and said he can see
doing without the $13,815, and adding the items mentioned by Mrs. Humphris and
deducting that from the transfer to Debt Service. That would still mean that
there would be no tax increase.
Mr. Bowerman asked that the Board go through the items one by one and
with a series of votes.
Mr. Perkins asked for other comments from the Board members.
Mrs. Thomas asked how this all ends up without a tax increase if Debt
Services has not been paid for. Mr. Tucker said that will be covered using
the General Fund Balance. Mr. Bowerman said that over the course of the
years, the Board has reappropriated monies back to the Fund Balance, and there
have been collections which have added to that balance so that the minimum
amount necessary to meet the County's commitments before the new revenues
begin to be received is sufficient, so the Fund Balance can be reduced by the
$400,000.
Mrs. Thomas asked if it can be reduced further. Mr. Tucker said
$200,000 has already been used for in the Reserve Fund, so if $400,000 is
taken, the balance is as low as it can go and still maintain operations. Mr.
Bowerman asked if Mr. Tucker felt comfortable with that recommendation. Mr.
Tucker said he does not like it, but he hopes that revenues for the current
year will be more than anticipated. He hopes that the carry-over (he is using
$200,000 of that to balance the budget) will be more than that. The Fund
Balance fluctuates each month. At this time, the County has enough "rainy
day" funds, but will be eliminating those until it is seen what the actual
June 30 revenues are. He hopes a reserve will be build up, but it will not be
in the nature of what the Board started this budget cycle with.
Mr. Perkins said there was a new position in the budget for a sign
maintenance person. He asked what it would cost to contract that service. Is
there enough work to keep one person busy? Mr. Huff said it was looked at,
and the cost was higher, and the contractors were reluctant to guarantee a 72-
hour turnaround time. Also, it could not be determined who would be called if
a sign needed to be put back into place, the county or a contractor. Mr.
Perkins asked what this person would do if they did not have signs to fix.
Mr. Tucker said they would probably help with the inspection of roads. The
County Engineer estimates that this person would stay busy for the foreseeable
future. Mr. Huff said a pilot test has been held for the last 90 days. Staff
filled a vacant position in another department and hired a temporary person to
do this job. This person can't keep up with the requests coming in.
Mr. Perkins said a lot of personnel are being added. Mr. Tucker said
the sign person and a couple of police officers are all that are being added
in General Government. The position for the Recycling Coordinator is existing
and it is being changed to part-time. The sign person will be funded through
the E-911 surcharge and not through property taxes.
Mrs. Thomas said it appears that the County has kept stable on the
number of employees per 2000 residents for the last eight years. Mr. Perkins
said there should be some efficiencies in numbers. Mrs. Thomas said, as a
matter of fact, when you get growth in population, you get more demands for
services rather than fewer. Most communities that are growing have a very
difficult time keeping up with the number per capita of employees. Instead of
economies of scale, you get more expenses.
Mr. Martin said he would move that the Board keep the $38,110 for the
salary supplement for constitutional offices.
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 9)
000 . 0
Mr. Perkins asked for a break (2:30 p.m.) before deciding on the actual
list of priorities. The Board reconvened at 2:35 p.m. and continued with the
work session on the budget.
Agenda Item No. 2a. Matters for Consideration from Other Work Sessions.
Mr. Perkins suggested the Board start down the list, and asked Mr.
Martin if he wished to restate the motion he made before the break.
Mr. Bowerman said he would like to suggest a different motion that Mr.
Martin might accept. The motion would be to include all of the items in the
Priority #1 initiatives, plus the five items mentioned earlier by Mr. Martin
and Mrs. Humphris, i.e., $5000 for the Teens Give Program; $8115 for the
Library; $5000 for the Discovery Museum; $6000 for microcomputers for Social
Services; and $2500 for Zoning. Then, if that is approved, the Board can take
different motions beyond that. Mr. Martin said he believes the Board has to
get the first item out of the way. Then that exact same motion can be made
without the first item which is controversial. Mr. Perkins suggested the
Board go down the list item by item.
Mr. Martin said he thought that after the first item, everybody was in
agreement. Mr. Perkins said he is not. Mr. Martin said his motion remains
the same which is, to add the Salary Supplement ~ 5% for Constitutional
Offices in the amount of $38,110. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Humphris
who said she will not vote for it, but the Board needs to take a vote.
Mr. Perkins asked for a roll call. Mr. Martin said you can't second a
motion and then vote against it. Mr. Bowerman said that is not true. Mr.
Marshall suggested the Board not be so formal and just indicate yea or nay.
Mr. Tucker said there must be a roll call on a motion. Mr. Marshall said he
might want to vote against this whole "cotton pickin' thing". Mrs. Humphris
said she would withdraw her second. The motion was then seconded by Mr.
Bowerman.
Roll was called, and the motion failed by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Marshall, Martin and Bowerman.
NAYS: Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Humphris.
Mr. Marshall asked if the Board is just voting to put these items on a
list. Mr. Perkins said the Board is voting as to whether or not to fund these
items in the budget to be presented for public hearing.
Fire/Rescue - Fire Safety Educator (50% funded), $3140.
offered by Bowerman, seconded by Mr. Martin, to add in $3140.
called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
Motion was
Roll was
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marsha%l, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphriso
None.
Motion was offered by Mrs. Thomas, seconded by Mr. Bowerman, to add in
all three of the following items. Fire/Rescue - Traininq Materials/Equipment,
$3900; Health Department - full fundinq (offset by local septic permit fee),
$31,160; Housinq - PC's (6), fund software in current year, $12,000. Roll was
called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Housinq - Family Self-Sufficiency Proqram (FSS), $38,000. Motion was
offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add in $38,000. Roll waS
called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris.
NAYS: Mr. Perkins.
Motion was offered by Mr. Martin to add in Information Services -
Technical Support Analyst, $39,915; JAUNT - two additional dispatch-
ers/administrative assistant, $7435; Police - five patrol officers $ $52,880
each (funds two officers), $105,760. Mrs. Humphris seconded the motion. Mr.
Perkins said this is confusing and suggested that the items be taken one at a
time. He said it won't take that much longer. He suggested the Board go back
to the $39,915 and $7435. No vote was taken on this motion.
Mr. Bowerman then moved that the Board add in Information Services -
Technical Support Analyst, $39,915. Mrs Humphris gave second. Roll was
called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris.
NAYS: Mr. Perkins.
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 10)
0001 :1.
Mr. Martin asked if it would be okay to just have the Board members
signify their vote by a voiced "yea" or "nay". Mr. Perkins said he believes
the Board, by its own Rules of Procedure, has to have a roll call. Mr. Tucker
said the Board could waive that part of its rules for this meeting only. Mr.
Perkins said there are not that many more items to look at. The Board will
spend more time talking about it than taking the votes.
JAUNT - two additional dispatchers/administrative assistant, $7435.
Motion was offered by Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add in
$7435. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded
vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Police - five patrol officers ~ $52,880 each (funds two officers),
$105,760. Motion was offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Bowerman, to add
in $105,760. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following
recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Martin, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris.
NAYS: Mr. Marshall and Mr. Perkins.
Police - record clerk, $18,030. Motion was offered by Mrs. Thomas,
seconded by Mr. Martin, to add in $18,030. Roll was called, and the motion
carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Martin, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris.
NAYS: Mr. Marshall and Mr. Perkins.
Recyclinq - recyclinq coordinator, part-time, $15,665. Motion was
offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add in $15,665. Roll was
called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris.
NAYS: Mr. Perkins.
Library - additional operatinq funds (50% restored), $8115. Motion was
offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add in $8115. Mr.
Perkins asked if the Board were voting on the $8115 or the $16,233. Mr.
Martin said it is on the $8115. Mrs. Thomas asked about the $8115 which shows
under Priority #2. Mr. Tucker said another vote would have to be taken to add
that amount because Mrs. Humphris had suggested that the full amount be added°
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Thomas. Roll was called, and the motion
carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Social Services - General Relief Proqram (50% of fundinq restored),
$7075. Motion was offered by Mr, Martin, seconded by Mrs. HUmphris, to add
$7075. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded
vote:
AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris.
NAYS: Mr. Perkins.
Social Services - additional caseload for adult homes, $2100. Motion
was offered by Mr. Humphris, seconded by Mr. Martin, to add in $2100. Roll
was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Virqinia Discovery Museum - transitional funds (funds $15,000 for
transitional year), $7415. Motion was offered by Mrs. Humphris, seconded by
Mr. Martin, to add $7415. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the
following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Next, the Board began the vote on the list of Second Priorities:
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994) OOQ~
(Page 11)
Mr. Martin said he thinks the first item of $13,815 for salary supple-
ments for constitutional officers ~ 5% is a moot issue now. Mr. Bowerman said
it is akin to a special use permit when the rezoning has been denied.
Community Attention - Teens Give Proqram, $5000. Motion was offered by
Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Humphrls, to add in $5000. Mrs. Thomas said Mr.
Martin had suggested that this program be moved up in priority. She asked if
it seems to be a successful and important project. Mr. Martin said he makes a
clear distinction between social programs that try to help people help
themselves, and social programs that just try to help. This is one where for
a relatively small amount of money it helps people who try to help themselves.
Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris.
NAYS: Mr. Perkins.
Discovery Museum - remainder of fundinq, $5,000. Motion was offered by
Mrs. Humphris, seconded by Mr. Bowerman, to add in the remaining $5000. Mr.
Bowerman said if the Board approves the extra $5000 making the amount $20,000,
what will be done next year. Mrs. Humphris said the Board clearly stated what
would be done at the last meeting. Mr. Bowerman said he wants to be sure what
will be done. Mr. Tucker said staff will talk to the people at the Discovery
Museum and be sure they know that this is for one year of transition only. It
will not be repeated in a future year. Roll was called, and the motion
carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Library - remainder of base fundinq, $8115. Motion was offered by Mrs.
Humphris, seconded by Mr. Bowerman, to add in $8115. Roll was called, and the
motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Mumphris.
None.
Sheriff - fuqitive squad (funds one deputy), $45,362. Motion was
offered by Mr. Bowerman to add in $45,362 for one additional deputy for the
sole purpose of warrant service during the day. Included in the original
request was around-the-clock service, transport at night, and everything else.
That was overkill, because a police officer can be used for transport at night
who would otherwise be operating out on the streets. He did not want to have
someone doing transport who would not be fully occupied the rest of the time.
Mr. Martin said that is a pretty large sum of money. Mr. Bowerman said
it also includes a vehicle. Mr. Martin said if the Board adds $45,362, where
will it come from. The other things recommended were relatively small
amounts. Added together, those items were about $30,000. Now, this amount is
$45,362, so the total is now over $75,000, and where is that coming from.
Mrs. Thomas said she would like to make an alternative proposal which is
not to include this one deputy. She suggested that the County Sheriff, County
Police Department, City Sheriff, City Police Department, and the University
Police all get together and form a regional fugitive squad which they already
have for Federal warrants. It provides the kind of inter-regional cooperation
that the Board urges on people. She thinks it would save the Board from
expending this new amount of money, and even if they return and say it cannot
be done, they would have looked at doing it regionally and checking to see if
there is a good alternative. Mrs. Thomas said this was suggested by someone
who has worked on the Federal fugitive squad.
Mr. Martin asked about jurisdictions. The County can't serve in the
City. Mr. Marshall said he has a drug store in the City and he has one in the
County. He has to get the City Sheriff to serve bad check warrants in the
City, and the County Sheriff to serve bad check warrants in the County. Mrs.
Thomas said she thinks that is because they have not looked at doing this as a
regional group. There must be something the Federal group is doing that could
be used here.
Mr. Marshall said the problem is that there are not 4000, as was said
last week, but 14,000 warrants that have not been served. Mr. Bowerman said
he does not believe that is accurate. There are only a total of 4500 a year.
Mrs. Thomas said there are 400 which did not get served out of 4000. Mr.
Marshall said there are 14,000 warrants. Mr. Martin said that out of those
400 that didn't get served, he would guess that 50 percent of the people are
just not around anymore. He has several detention orders out and he knows the
kids are not here. Mr. Marshall said that is his point. It took them so long
to get them served, that the people moved on.
Mr. Martin said he would be in favor of changing the half-time bailiff
(not on the list), who is already employed, to a full-time position, and this
would free up a Sheriff's deputy to serve warrants. Mr. Marshall said they
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 12)
are not doing it. The Police Department is doing it. Mr. Martin said the
deputies deliver summonses, and those sorts of things. Mr. Marshall said he
was specifically talking about bad check warrants. Mr. Perkins asked if the
Board wanted to vote on the motion.
Mr. Bowerman asked that Mr. Martin explain his thoughts. Mr. Martin
said in the Sheriff's original proposal there were funds requested for
changing a half-time bailiff, who is already employed, to full-time. Mrs.
Humphris said that was proposed at $24,915. Mr. Bowerman asked if that
included a car. Mr. Tucker said it did include a car. Mr. Bowerman suggested
that the Board look at this item closer after the public hearing since he did
not believe the Board had all the information necessary. He would like to be
sure there is no way to implement Mrs. Thomas' idea before discarding it. Mr.
Martin said he would also like to look at what might be most beneficial to the
County.
Mr. Marshall said he voted against the additional police officers so he
could vote for these and because the Police Department is not doing a good job
of serving warrants (particularly those for bad checks), so he is in favor of
adding the $45,362. Mr. Bowerman said the police officers have a different
responsibility. Mr. Marshall said he realizes that, but something needs to be
done. Mr. Martin said his experience is that they are having a difficult time
serving the warrants, but the result of his warrants not be served is not
significant enough to spend this kind of money. Mrs. Humphris said Mr. Martin
is looking at the "big" picture instead of the "narrow" picture° Mr. Marshall
said businesses have a big problem with bad checks and if they don~t get fast
service, the checks can't be collected. Mr. Bowerman said the thing that
concerns him is that there are people committing some crimes and remaining on
the streets to continue to do that because the County does not have the
manpower to serve those warrants. This results in additional work for the
Police Department and he felt that if the warrants were served in a timely
fashion, the workload for the Police Department could be reduced.
Mrs. Humphris said she hears a difference of opinion. Mr. Martin is
saying they are trying, but they are not able to serve the warrant not
necessarily because of the time element, but because the people have fled.
They are fugitives. Mr. Marshall is saying they don't do it right away. The
Board obviously does not know enough about the problem. Mr. Martin said his
experience is that they will knock on the door of the address on the warrant
fairly quickly° The problem is that if the person is not there, or the person
answering the door says they are not there, they don't have any authority to
go beyond that.
Mr. Tucker said he thinks they prioritize the warrants as far as service
is concerned. Mr. Bowerman said he thinks they should do that if they can't
serve all of them. If a warrant is issued because somebody caused an action
to take place, the warrant should be served. If they all were attempted to be
served, then it should reduce the total workload of the Police Department.
Mr. Martin said if Mr. Bowerman wanted to make a motion, he would vote
for it. Mr. Bowerman then move4 that the Fuqitive Squad (funds 1 deputy) ~
$45,362, be added. The motion was secon4ed by Mr. Marshall°
Mrs. Humphris said she will vote against it because it is very obvious
to her that the Board does not know what it is talking about. At this time,
roll was called and the motion failed by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Marshall, Martin and Bowerman.
NAYS: Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Humphris.
Social Services - Microcomputers (3), $6000.
Martin, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add in $6000.
motion carried by the following recorded vote:
Motion was offered by Mr.
Roll was called, and the
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Mumphris.
None.
Zoninq - code compliance equipment/traininq (without audiovisual),
$2500. Mo%ion was offered by Mrs. Humphris, seconded by Mr. Bowerman, to add
in $2500. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded
vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Mr. Martin brought up an item which was not on the list, that being the
request from the Chamber of Commerce for funds. He thinks it is important
that the Board look at the businesses in the community, small and large, and
make a minimal effort of retaining them. He suggested adding $1000 to the
budget for this item. He said Mr. Tucker has talked to Mrs. Dittmar about not
spending money on such things as dinners.
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 13)
Mr. Bowerman said he could not remember what their request was. Mrs.
Thomas said it totalled approximately $8000 for all of their requests. Mr.
Bowerman asked which $1000 request Mr. Martin was referring to. Mr. Martin
said the $1000 he is talking about would be used for retention. Mr. Bowerman
asked if they had deleted the dinner? Mr. Martin said they agreed not to use
the $1000 that the County might give them for a dinner. Mr. Bowerman asked
what they would use the $1000 for. Mr. Martin said it would be for postage
and those types of things.
Mrs. Humphris said those things only total $70. Mrs. Thomas said she
recalls that they agreed that they wouldn't include any of the companies that
are not actually paying taxes in Albemarle County, such as Kloeckner and
Nimbus. They would include them, but not in the County's share. Mrs.
Humphris said they are only going to invite large employers. They are
excluding the small employers who are the backbone of the community.
Mr. Perkins asked if Mr. Martin had made a motion. Mr. Martin said he
did make a motion. Mr. Perkins asked if staff understood what this $1000 will
be used for. Mr. Tucker said he had not seen what the Board members are
reading from. Mrs. Thomas said she is just guessing where the $1000 came
from. Mro Martin said they have reduced their request from $2080 to $1000.
It is his understanding that they are going to include the small employers,
but obviously could not include all of them in that one function.
Mrs. Humphris asked if she was taking the right figures from the letter
that came from the Chamber. Mr. Tucker said staff does not have a copy. Mrs.
Humphris said the letter is dated March 18, and she wants to be sure the Board
members understand what this money will pay for. There are three items listed
to pay for a luncheon for employers from the large firms, invitations @ $51,
the mailing @ $29, and the luncheon for 100 people, which means the Board and
the large employers @ $2000. If the County contributes $1000, it is $1000
toward the luncheon for the large employers. Mrs. Humphris said she thinks
the Board will be "opening up a can of worms" if it starts to pay for lun-
cheons for some businesses and not for others. The Board is stepping away
from public health, safety, education and general welfare issues. All of the
other things the Board does which are listed in the budget book are different
from this. She truly believes that this is not the function of government.
She believes the Board is here to do the planning, provide the infrastructure,
and let private enterprise work. This request will never stop if taxpayer's
dollars are used for this type of entertainment. There must be other ways to
show employers the County is glad to have them here. She hopes it happens
every day when they do business with the County, or the County does business
with them out in the field. She does not think a luncheon is the answer.
Mr. Perkins asked if that is what the Chamber is requesting the $1000
for. Mr. Martin said "yes." He noted that he had made a motion if somebody
wanted to second it. He does agree with Mrs. Humphris that there are other
ways and he hopes the County can continue to do the other things.
Mrs. Thomas said this has served a good purpose to make the Board think
about it. That is why she thinks some things could be included in County
mailings. She said Mrs. Humphris has convinced her this would be a bad
precedent.
Mrs. Mumphris said she thinks the County certainly would want to
cooperate with the Chamber, but she considers that they are the arm of busi-
ness and they know how to operate in that sphere. She does not think the
County does.
Mr. Martin said that's fine. His motion didn't get a second.
Mr. Martin brought up the subject of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR)
and a letter which was received by the individual Board members requesting
full funding of their request. Their original request was for a $3600
increase which included a salary increase. He offered motion to add $880 to
fully fund the request of OAR. Mr. Bowerman seconded the motion. Roll was
callede and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Agenda Item No. 2c. Proposed Allocation of Board's Reserve Fund.
Mr. Perkins asked if that takes care of all items. Mr. Tucker said that
is all items except schools. He needs to know whether the Board wants to
transfer $700,000 of the remaining reserve fund to the Schools. Mr. Bowerman
said everything has been predicated on that figure. Mr. Tucker said after
calculating all of the changes the Board has made so far today, the remaining
reserve fund is $825,790 instead of $815,175.
Motion was then offered by Mr. Martin to give an additional $700,000 of
the reserve fund to the School Division which should leave the Board with a
reserve of $125,790. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Humphris. Mr. Tucker
asked if that included staff's recommendation that this additional amount be
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 14)
000 1.85
given with the proviso that the Schools fund 85 percent of the health insur-
ance premium of their employees. There was a verbal consensus that the recom-
mendation concerning the health insurance premium be approved.
Mr. Perkins said he did not know what type of precedent the Board was
setting by adding to an unbalanced budget. That is something future boards
will have to determine. It "goes against his grain" that they didn't present
a balanced budget to the Board. They would probably have gotten the same
amount money, it is just that the $700,000 would have been put on a list of
priorities. It is probably not going to get any better when there are elected
school boards.
Mr. Marshall said he would not support giving the $700,000 if it created
the need for an increase in the tax rate. Since the County has the money, and
~the need is there, and they have their own priority list (which was not
presented to this Board this year), he assumes they will use the money where
they best need it.
Mr. Martin said it seems to him that when he, Mr. Marshall and Mr.
Perkins served on the School Board together, they sent an unbalanced budget to
the Board of Supervisors. It was only after he had been on the School Board
for two years that it started balancing the budget. Mr. Marshall said he
voted against it the whole time he was on the School Board. Mr. Martin said
sending an unbalanced budget was a "tradition". Mr. Marshall said he remem-
bers when Gerry Fisher was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, the Supervi-
sors went in and cut the School budget "all to pieces". The way the School
Board had of preventing that was to send a balanced budget with some priority
lists. Mr. Martin said that is when the School Board started balancing its
budget. Mr. Bowerman said the School Board was saying that for next budget
year, with the addition of the Sutherland Middle School, with the curriculum
changes they feel are necessary, that within the funds this Board allocated to
balance their budget, they were unable to do so. He thinks this Board must
accept that the School Board has done a good job and made a recommendation to
this Board that is of benefit to the school children of Albemarle County, as
well as the community, and he thinks they made a strong point that within the
available funds that were initially allocated there were insufficient funds to
do what they felt had to be done.
Mr. Perkins said if there had been no questions asked, would this Board
now be giving them $2.2 million? Mr. Tucker said "no way." Mr. Perkins said
if it had not been for Mr. Tucker and his staff, and some private citizens
digging into the Schools budget, and saying there were duplications, they may
have gotten the message that "we can ask for anything and we are apt to get
it."
Mrs. Humphris said that in spite of all the upset and ups and downs,
what she saw was a process working. The first school budget submitted was
flawed. Citizens were already looking at it. She knows that her School Board
member spend many hours combing it and she had already discovered some of the
things that were discovered later on. When it got to the general government
staff, they did their job and looked at it. Between staff and the citizens,
the process worked
Mr. Perkins said he does not believe it would have worked if it had been
left up to the School Board. As far as what Mr. Martin said, it might be
true, but it was under different circumstances. Revenue projections and
things like that were not as good then as they are now. Mrs. Thomas said,
when she was a member of the School Board, she remembers that they sent in
budgets which were an expression of need, and then the Board of Supervisors
would come up with a figure they felt they could give to the School Board.
That was so uncomfortable for the School Board, that it requested that a
figure be given to them at the beginning of the process. That is what is done
now. To call this an unbalanced budget is rather strange because the budget-
ing process has to be an expression of need. She thinks there are some
embarrassed people, as well there ought to be, but the bottom line is that
they presented this Board with something which encapsulates what they see as
needs, particularly with the opening of a middle school. This is the fifth
new school, and the County is just reaching a point where there are major
needs. None have talked about the debt service that has gone up 200 percent
in the last few years.
Mr. Perkins said, "if you come right down to it", he thinks it was a
mistake to build a new middle school. Maybe the existing schools should have
been added to. But, if you add to the existing schools, you have to add to
the cafeterias, you have to add to the gyms, you have to add to libraries to
make them in compliance with state regulations. The State is not paying for
it, this County is. "We are the ones that have the debt service." There is a
tremendous cost associated with the opening of any new school. Mr. Perkins
said there has been a principal working for the new middle school for the last
year. He does not know that that is necessary. He sees "fluff", not only in
the school budget, but even in some parts of the County budget. Last year,
the Board received a nice, slick calendar which was outdated almost before it
was received. How many newsletters are received from the schools? Are all of
those things necessary? Mr. Perkins said he thinks this Board must look at
things and decide which are needs and which are wants, and cut out some of the
fluff. He feels there are ways that things can be cut. He works for a paper
company, so the more paper used, the better, but he would like to see some of
that paper stuff cut out.
March 24, 1994 (Adjourned from March 23, 1994)
(Page 15)
Mr. Bowerman asked if Mr. Perkins was referring to that "box of paper"
again. Mr. Perkins said that is a different story, but he will be glad to
repeat it if Mr. Bowerman wants to hear it again. Mr. Perkins said they have
about 35 or 40 boxes of 8 1/2" x 14" paper at Western Albemarle High School
and they don't know what to do with ito Why does it ever get ordered? They
don't even have a duplicating machine at Western that works. They've got
needs, but it seems like a lot of people don't even know where the needs are.
When the teachers can't run their tests off, there is something wrong. So,
"where are we?"
Mrs. Numphris said where we really are is that we have got to realize
that plainly and simply, growth costs money. We are going to be facing ever
increasing costs because we are growing, and you are not going to find enough
fluff in the Schools to make a difference in this budget. This has been
combed, and she suggested that when people find "fluff"~ tell the Board about
fluff, and let it get rid of the fluff. But~ it is the growth that is costing
the County the money, and not the fluff, and everybody ought to be aware that
the more we grow~, the more it is going to have to pay, and most particularly
for schools. That is the way it is going to be in the future in Albemarle
County.
Mr. Perkins said we have had growth, but we are also spending more real
dollars per pupil today than we have ever before.
At this time, Mr. Martin called for the question. Roll was called, and
the vote was as follows:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Roll was immediately called on Mr. Martin's motion to give the Schools
an additional $700,000, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Mr. Tucker said the Board had $125,790 left, and he suggested that
$25,790 be placed in a contingency fund for the Board to have available for
the next fiscal year, and that the remaining $100,000 be used for debt
service. Motion to this effect was made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Mrs.
Numphris. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded
vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Humphris.
None.
Agenda Item No. 2d. Settinq of Tax Rates for Public Hearinq:
Motion was offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Marshall, to set the
1994 tax rates for the public hearing at $0.72/$100 on real property, and
$4.28/$100 on personal property items, all rates to be the same as those of
1993. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs.
Numphris.
None.
Mr. Tucker said the public hearing date for the budget has already been
established as April 6, 1994.
Agenda Item No. 3. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the
Board. There were none.
Agenda Item No. 4. At 3:25 p.m., with no further business to come
before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
C~airman